- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown (2 Sep 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1408702568
- ISBN-13: 978-1408702567
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 103,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
* The wonderful new Isabel Dalhousie novel -- out now in paperback
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and curious observer of the behaviour of her fellow man, is approached by a friend at a local boarding school that is planning to appoint a new headmaster; an anonymous letter has arrived suggesting that one of the shortlisted candidates has a compromising past. But which one is it? Isabel is once again drawn into an investigation, and finds herself exploring dilemmas of human weakness and forgiveness. She turns to her fiance Jamie for advice, but he too appears to have something to hide ...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am an unashamed and unapologetic McCall-Smith groupie. Read my reviews of his other books and you will see that I am gushing, nay profuse, in my praise for his wonderful, heart-warming, humane and funny books, and in particular for his ability to create well-rounded, believable characters that the reader can relate to and get to know. I love his books and read every one in a mad dash like a...erm...mad, dashy thing.
Therefore it is with heavy heart that I put reluctant fingers to keyboard and say that...I think this particular series has reached the end of the road (*sobs into hankie, blows nose, recovers composure*).
Although this is as well written and humourous and wise as anything written by "Sandy" (as my good friend Ian Rankin refers to him . Awful name dropper, aren't I?) it seemed to me that, in order to inject some pizzazz into the series, he has taken the risky step of making some of his characters (Isabel in particular) behave in ways which are completely out of character for them. Isabel's OTT reaction to Jamie going to the cinema on his own was simply not believable and totally not the sort of thing that she would do. And while the "mysteries" that Isabel solves are never really that earth-shattering, the mystery in this story is particularly thin and has a quite disappointing (*sobs sgain*) denouement.
But you know what? I don't care, I still loved it and I still devoured it and I'm still going to recommend it, because McCall-Smith's writing is uniquely enjoyable. However, I think he perhaps needs to find new directions for these characters and breathe some life into them.
Therefore it is with heavy heart that I put reluctant fingers to keyboard and say that...I think this particular series has reached the end of the road (*sobs into hankie, blows nose, recovers composure*).
Although this is as well written and humourous and wise as anything written by "Sandy" (as my good friend Ian Rankin refers to him . Awful name dropper, aren't I?) it seemed to me that, in order to inject some pizzazz into the series, he has taken the risky step of making some of his characters (Isabel in particular) behave in ways which are completely out of character for them. Isabel's OTT reaction to Jamie going to the cinema on his own was simply not believable and totally not the sort of thing that she would do. And while the "mysteries" that Isabel solves are never really that earth-shattering, the mystery in this story is particularly thin and has a quite disappointing (*sobs sgain*) denouement.
But you know what? I don't care, I still loved it and I still devoured it and I'm still going to recommend it, because McCall-Smith's writing is uniquely enjoyable. However, I think he perhaps needs to find new directions for these characters and breathe some life into them.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a big fan of the books written by Mr McCall Smith, I usually keep a Saturday free so I can read each new book in a single day! The Charming Quirks of Others I had to read over a week because the plot wasn't as engaging as the previous books. There are so many questions left unanswered in the book. For example, the reader has no idea what happens to Gordon and Cat or why Eddie doesn't like Gordon. I was also disappointed with the ending because it was so obvious, I was surprised it took Isabel so long to work out who sent the anonymous letter! However, I like the fact that in this book, we get to see Isabel as a 'regular' person - she is insecure about her relationship with Jamie. Questions I asked myself: Is Isabel agist? Is she going to walk away from Jamie? Unlike my favourite lady detective (Mme Ramotswe), I find it hard to warm to Isabel because she is so 'fuddy duddy' and worries too much! Her life is too perfect! I also feel she doesn't treat Jamie as an equal and they never seem to do fun things together like shopping for grocery!! The 'co-bathing' incident in the book felt odd as they are usually so formal with each other in the book!
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the seventh installment in the series about Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher and occasional amateur sleuth and I feel like the series is starting to slowly run out of steam. It's a charming novel but it suffers badly from an absence of momentum. The plot is even slighter than usual. A large portion of the book is about Isabel's relationship with Jamie and they seem to have many philosophical conversations, which are pleasant enough but don't really go anywhere. Otherwise the main storyline is about Isabel being asked to look into the backgrounds of three applicants for a school principal position, one of whom happens to be Cat's new boyfriend. An anonymous letter has been sent to the Board of Governors alleging that one of the candidates has a dark secret.
I can't shake the feeling that Isabel and Jamie just aren't right for each other - despite the fact that their wedding is apparently imminent. Before Jamie, Isabel was a strong woman, but now she spends so much time worrying about whether she's worthy of him. At one point she hears that he has been seen at a movie, which she didn't know he'd gone to. She immediately leaps to the assumption that he is having an affair and tells him she hates him. This didn't feel like the Isabel I know and love. One of her friends says to her: "Occasionally we've asked ourselves if the real threat to your relationship with Jamie might be your finding out that apart from the physical attraction, Jamie did not bring enough to the relationship to keep you interested". Isabel gets all huffy and indignant at this, but I tended to agree.
McCall Smith's Edinburgh is a small town where everyone is connected and even taxi drivers are philosophers. People have no major failings, just "charming quirks". It's the kind of book that leaves you feeling a little lighter in spirit, musing about topics such as the relative merits of Mozart vs the dinosaurs. However if you are new to the series, this is not the place to begin.
I can't shake the feeling that Isabel and Jamie just aren't right for each other - despite the fact that their wedding is apparently imminent. Before Jamie, Isabel was a strong woman, but now she spends so much time worrying about whether she's worthy of him. At one point she hears that he has been seen at a movie, which she didn't know he'd gone to. She immediately leaps to the assumption that he is having an affair and tells him she hates him. This didn't feel like the Isabel I know and love. One of her friends says to her: "Occasionally we've asked ourselves if the real threat to your relationship with Jamie might be your finding out that apart from the physical attraction, Jamie did not bring enough to the relationship to keep you interested". Isabel gets all huffy and indignant at this, but I tended to agree.
McCall Smith's Edinburgh is a small town where everyone is connected and even taxi drivers are philosophers. People have no major failings, just "charming quirks". It's the kind of book that leaves you feeling a little lighter in spirit, musing about topics such as the relative merits of Mozart vs the dinosaurs. However if you are new to the series, this is not the place to begin.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Isabel vs.life's challenging moments
"The Charming Quirks of Others" takes Edinburgh's resident philosopher, Isabel Dalhousie, a few steps further down the path of her mostly idyllic life. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Blue in Washington
The Charming Quirks Of Others
Delivered fast, safe and sound. It's a book with a front and a back and has pages and everything .... Read more
Published 3 months ago by BigKev
Gently entertaining, but not the best Isabel Dalhousie
This Isabel Dalhousie novel was still charming and thoughtful, just not as gripping as some of the others. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jo Bennie
Review of The Charming Quirks of Others
This continuation of the Isabel Dalhousie novels was an enjoyable read. Against a believable background of contemporary Edinburgh, the plot combined well the reflections and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by DavidH
thoroughly enjoyable
The Charming Quirks of Others is the 7th in the Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith. Isabel has quite a bit on her plate: getting another edition of the Review of... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Cloggie Downunder
Love conquers all?
Having read the previous Isabel Dalhousie books and enjoyed her philosphical meanderings, I was a bit iritated by her this time - maybe because she's in love and at the moment... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mrs. M. E. Pryle
Another great novel from Mr McCall Smith
I have read all of AMS's novels and eagerly await every new book in each of his series. Fortunately AMS is a prolific author and so there's usually an addition to one or more of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Terry Morgan
She isn' that annoying
I have been reading these books for some time. At first I found Isobel's "perfect" life annoying and self satisfied but I now understand her quirks and weaknesses and find these... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Miss K. Wilshaw
I like it
I just finished this book which is a vehicle for AMS's philosophical musings which turn out to be everyman's.
The plots are good and sustain the action. Read more
The plots are good and sustain the action. Read more
Published 8 months ago by P. Mcdermott
Excellent
Arrived on time and just what I wanted. Very well packed. Excellent books and recommend them to all who want an entertaining read.
Published 8 months ago by Ms. J. R. Mcleod
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